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Benny & Joon Customer Reviews (28 - 30 of 55 Reviews)

A love story unlike any other
This movie is sweet, full of innocence and love. I adore it. Johnny Depp's performance as Sam is beautiful. He always manages to bring a smile to my face. "Benny and Joon" is a playful, pure, lighthearted story. And all though it is a comedy, there are also some very serious moments that are almost painful to watch. Overall, this is a wonderful family movie, and a fantastic addition to any Johnny Depp lover's collection. (He looks particularly gorgeous in this movie, by the way.)

Joon is a very pretty, but very odd young woman that lives with her older brother Benny. Benny is extrememly protective of his younger sister, but he has reason to be: Ever since their parents died in a car accident, Joon has suffered from a mental illness, and cannot be left alone. Although she seems to be alright most of the time, she has episodes where she will hear voices in her head and throw uncontrollable tantrums. Benny is struggling to find a housekeeper for Joon, when, by an unlucky (or lucky, depending which way you look at it) hand of poker, Sam must come to live with them.

Sam is as cute as they come. He is 26, unable to read, and makes grilled cheese with an iron, but he can entertain. He does these excellent Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin type acts, and he is irresistable. Johnny Depp has the most expressive face...it amazes me how he always has this innate ability to hypnotize his audience. It's impossible not to love him. Anyway, it turns out that he and Joon are perfect for each other, and they fall in love. Their relationship is so innocent and affectionate. For example, in one scene Sam and Joon are painting, and they come so close to kissing, and they think about it some more; and just when you think it is going to be a heavy makeout session, Sam pulls out a ballon, blows it up, and then plays a song for Joon by letting air squeak out of it. It's the most romantic thing I have ever seen.

Although their relationship seems perfect, they have struggles. Sam must learn about Joon's condition and deal with her overprotective brother. He will also discover what Joon is like when she has one of her tantrums...but does that keep him from loving her? No way. He is faithful to the very end.

That's why I love this movie: It's a love story, but it's not distasteful or raunchy at all. It is childlike, silly and playful, and it will most definitely tug at your heartstrings.

MISFIRE
Although Johnny Depp is to be lauded for his deft physical comedy in this romantic fairy tale, it isn't enough to save this implausible film. Depp plays a somewhat eccentric young man who finds himself filling in as a "housemate" to a young mentally ill girl who lives with her brother. Mary Stuart Masterson is effective as Joon, and Aidan Quinn does her sincerest best but the film ultimately fails in its ignorance of reality. Julianne Moore has an early appearance as Ruthie, the failed actress who works as a waitress and befriends Benny, Joon and Depp. The movie manages to sugar coat mental illness and we're asked to believe that this obviously disturbed young girl is capable of living on her own. While its message of love conquers all is admirable, the reality of Joon's situation is overshadowed by this sentimentality.

A Wonderful Performance By Mary Stuart Masterson!!!
I have always had great respect fort Mary Stuart Masterson ever since I saw her in the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistlestop Cafe". In this movie she plays Joon, a mentally disturbed girl who lives with her brother. Benny ,played by Johnny Depp comes onto their lives and things are changed forever. The only thing that is disappointing in this movie is the message that it seems to be sending out which is "It is okay to be mentally disturbed as long as you are cute". Millions of people around the world suffering from various mental disorders would surely disagree with this presumption.

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